BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed yesterday alleged that around 7 billion US dollars were siphoned off from Bangladesh by 'government-backed people' over the last one decade. Speaking at a human chain programme, he also alleged that the scope for whitening black money was kept in the proposed budget for 2019-20 fiscal to allow ruling party men to legalise their ill-gotten money.

"Around 7 billion US dollars were siphoned off from Bangladesh over the last one decade...those who're doing business backed by the government laundered the money instead of investing it in the country," the BNP leader said.

Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and a fresh national election. Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said the ruling party-supported people constructed houses, shopping malls and set up big businesses in many countries.